Undergroundnetwork

A month or so back, I saw then trade minister Phil Goff speak at a pre-election foreign affairs debate at the Owen Glenn Building at Auckland University. Despite the high calibre of political minds present, an unfortunately small crowd attended, made to appear even smaller by the huge venue. It is a shame that more did not get to witness the debate, as one politician clearly stood out above all others. Labour’s Phil Goff left his opponents in his wake; Jim Anderton was the next most impressive, a strong debater with a quick wit, Gordon Copeland was good although naive at times, Keith Locke was knowledgeable but lack assertion, and Act’s Peter Tashkoff has been living in a cave. Even National’s Tim Groser seemed to agree Goff was in a league of his own, in that despite his clear trade experience he seemed more ready to point to Goff’s superb record than illustrate his own credentials or National’s focuses in the area. When questions were fired at the stage from the audience Goff readily took the lead, fielding most the questions no matter how hostile. Almost as though intimidated, most of the other debaters left him to it, with the exception of Anderton and perhaps Locke and Grosser. I still remember the fiery response Goff gave a Communist League candidate in the audience who launched into Goff on Afghanistan. The crowd seemed universally impressed, as did the candidates. Most remarkable was how he spoke. Whilst others stood, at times, timidly behind the microphone (Locke frequently had calls to speak up), Goff walked across the stage, right up to the audience and without amplification his voice still filled the auditorium. There is something immediately impressive about someone who can speak clearly at such a volume, good humoured, not aggressive, assertive and at ease. John Key is going to have his hands full in the debating chamber at parliament and in campaign debates in three years time. Continue reading →